OAKLAND -- Rangers reliever Sam Dyson was teammates with pitcher José Fernández while with the Marlins. They shared the same passion for fishing and Dyson spent two weeks one offseason working out with Fernandez in Miami.
Dyson is just one of many throughout the game saddened by the news that Fernandez and two others were killed in a boating accident off Miami Beach early Sunday morning.
"It's a sad day for his family, friends, anybody in baseball," Dyson said. "He was one of the best pitchers in the game. He had a bright future ahead of him. When you play with him, you see the passion and the enjoyment he had. He had a big smile and a laugh that brought joy to the room."
:: Jose Fernandez: 1992-2016 ::
The Marlins game with the Braves was cancelled in Miami. Other games went on, but with Fernandez on many peoples mind including the Rangers.
"It's nothing you want to wake up and experience," pitcher Cole Hamels said. "He enjoyed the spotlight and what baseball can bring. Everybody has read his backstory. That was phenomenal what he was able to do. He didn't take it for granted and enjoyed every moment. He was really a positive person."
Catcher Jonathan Lucroy said that baseball is a small fraternity and everybody is connected in some manner.
"I played against Jose a lot and talked to him a little bit," Lucroy said. "He had such intensity and fire when he pitched, even in the dugout. It's pretty heartbreaking."

"Devastating," manager Jeff Banister said. "We didn't lose a baseball player per se, we lost a star, we lost a human being. This is a guy who struggled and fought to get here and be a part of this. He had exceptional talent. This was a bright light for the industry."